The intersection of Seke and St Patrick’s roads in Harare has become a scene of tragedy and outrage, after a horrific head-on collision between two commuter omnibuses claimed the lives of two people and left 35 others seriously injured.
Adding to the tragedy, a photographer with The Herald, who was part of the news crew that had rushed to cover the accident, was badly beaten by some overzealous police officers for discharging his duties.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the conduct of some police officers and their disregard for the freedom of the press.
The accident, which occurred yesterday morning, has sparked calls for the installation of traffic lights at the intersection to control traffic and prevent future tragedies.
“On Friday evening we witnessed another accident at the same area, with a number of people injured, so there is a need to install traffic lights to reduce speed and avoid loss of life,” said a Hatfield resident, Mr Nobert Chiwetu, who resides 200 metres away from the accident scene.
“I can confirm that two people died on the spot,” he said.
The accident has also highlighted the need for responsible driving. “Life is so precious; we cannot continue to lose innocent lives due to negligence. Let’s be responsible drivers,” said another Hatfield resident, Mr Talkmore Zimbudzi.
Eyewitnesses have alleged that the accident was caused by a police officer who was driving one of the commuter omnibuses and encroached into the wrong lane, resulting in the head-on collision.
“One of the commuter omnibuses involved in the head-on collision was being driven by a police officer,” said a Hatfield resident.
The incident has also brought to light the issue of speeding along Seke Road. Mr Tafadzwa Jacobs, a transporter along Seke Road, said there is a need to put speed humps on the road to reduce speeding.
“Speed is the primary factor in most vehicle accidents along Seke road, hence the need to put speed humps,” he said.
The accident comes on the heels of the Heroes and Defence Forces Day holidays, during which most accidents were attributed to speeding, inattention, misjudgement, overtaking errors, and failure to observe road rules and regulations by drivers.
The tragic events on Seke Road serve as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. The installation of traffic lights at the intersection and the implementation of speed humps along Seke Road are crucial steps in preventing future accidents and saving lives.
The assault of the Herald photographer by police officers is a serious matter that requires immediate investigation and accountability. The freedom of the press is essential for a democratic society, and any attempts to suppress it must be condemned in its strongest terms.
